Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 May 2015 launched India’s first television channel DD Kisan dedicated to farmers in New Delhi.

The 24X7 channel is owned by public service broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) and is dedicated to agriculture and allied sectors.

Features of DD Kisan

DD Kisan will disseminate real-time inputs to farmers on new farming techniques, water conservation and organic farming.

It will also share best farm practices in different parts of the country, quiz shows for farmers, a bottoms-up approach involving agriculturists.

The channel show will also invite programme suggestions from general public and real-time interaction with experts and farm scientists.

Prior to launching this channel, Prasar Bharati was running ‘Krishi Darshan’ programme on DD1 for farmers. It was one of the longest running programmes on DD and was launched on January 26, 1967.

Background

During the Budget of 2014, NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had had earmarked 100 crore rupees to this dedicated channel to fulfill it election promise. BJP in its 2014 Lok Sabha election manifesto had announced that if they come to power they will set up dedicated 24X7 channel for Indian Farmers.